The Benefits of Going Solar In The Midwest

When you think about states that are ideal for solar power, the ones that come to mind probably aren’t from the Midwest. While areas such as California, Arizona, and Florida have a reputation for getting a lot of sun, the cold and snow experienced during Midwestern winters don’t detract from solar production as much as you might think. In some ways, the cooler Midwestern weather is even beneficial.

Occasional poor weather doesn’t completely stop solar power generation. For instance, two of the world’s leaders in solar power production per capita, trailing only Australia in 2021, are Germany and the Netherlands. Neither is known for having an overly sunny climate. Germany’s average of 169 sunny days per year is more than 30 fewer than Iowa receives.

Solar panels aren’t only viable in the hot desert sun. They still produce plenty of power in the chillier Midwestern winters.

Solar Panels Can Generate Power In Bad Weather & Indirect Light

That’s not to say that weather conditions like rain, snow, and clouds don’t affect solar production. Everything else being equal, solar panels will hit their peak performance on clear, sunny days. Even on cloudy days, the sun’s rays will still make their way through the clouds. And so long as that light reaches the solar panels, they will go on producing energy.

Indirect light might not allow for peak performance, but it does generate energy. That even applies during Midwestern rainstorms and mild snowy conditions. While the heavy clouds that come with rain will prevent maximum power production, any light is still enough to generate energy. Rain also has a positive solar attribute: it cleans the solar panels, allowing them to perform better when the clouds clear.

While snow accumulating on the panels does present problems and will reduce the capacity of electricity being produced by the solar panels, their smooth finish allows them to shed the snow faster than a building’s roof would. And as the snow melts or slides off, it has the same effect as the rain, cleaning the panels by removing dust, dirt, and debris so they can operate at peak efficiency afterward.

Solar Power Can Thrive in the Midwest’s Lower Temperatures

It might seem as if more solar power would be generated on a sunny 110° summer day in Arizona than on a similarly sunny 80° day in Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin. That’s not the case. In fact, the opposite is true. Solar panels absorb energy from the sun’s abundant light, not its heat. A sunny day is a sunny day to a solar panel, whether it is in the scorching summer or frigid winter.

The cooler Midwestern temperatures are actually optimal. Too much heat can inhibit solar power generation. High temperatures can cause solar equipment to overheat, reducing its efficiency. Research has shown solar panels begin to lose efficiency around 77° Fahrenheit. This loss is often small, totaling about 0.5% for every degree or two over 77° Fahrenheit. As temperatures continue to rise, though, it adds up enough to give an edge to a milder, but still sunny, climate.

Midwestern Weather Is Factored In To Our Solar Power Estimates

Professional solar companies like Eagle Point Solar provide customized solar production reports specifically for your property. We utilize specialized software for the solar industry to model everything from shading to historical local weather data for the most accurate solar production predications. Through this, we can provide a data-driven look at how much solar energy production you would be likely to receive over the long term, along with other metrics such as return on investment.

Eagle Point Solar serves much of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, and our years of experience make us experts on solar in the Midwest. We know what works and what doesn’t. We will give you an honest assessment of whether solar power is right for you. If you have any questions about the effectiveness of solar power in our region, contact us today.

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